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Using Images

Using a copyright-protected image

Do you wish to use a copyright-protected image in a scientific article or book that will be published by a commercial publisher?

Remember that:

If you use an image created by you that was previously included in a scientific article or book published with a publishing company, you must usually ask permission from the publisher to reuse your own image. In most cases, the publisher holds the economic rights to any article or book it publishes.

Most major publishers allow, for a fee, the reuse of published images in scientific articles through an automated rights management system called RightLink®. To access the form to request reuse, click on the article reference included in a bibliographic database (such as ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, IEEE Xplore, etc.), then on the link called: "Get Rights and Content", "Request Permissions", the copyright symbol ©, etc. If such a link is not available, contact the publisher directly.

The first example comes from Wiley Online Library, and the second from IEEE Xplore:

You must obtain the permission in writing, keep it in a safe place, and make sure the permission is irrevocable.

Even though you have obtained permission to reuse an image, you should still cite your sources. Publishers usually specify which citation style to follow in their author’s guide.

Using a royalty-free image

Do you want to use a royalty-free image in a scientific article or book that will be published by a commercial publisher?

Remember that:

***Most royalty-free images do not allow reuse for commercial purposes. Usually, these types of images cannot be used in published articles or books.***

If you would like to use a royalty-free image for commercial purposes, first make sure this type of reuse is permitted by consulting the image licence.

You must obtain the permission in writing, keep it in a safe place, and make sure the permission is irrevocable.

Even though you selected a royalty-free image that can be used for commercial purposes, you should still cite your sources. Publishers usually specify which citation style to follow in their author’s guide.

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